Sam Mendes Negotiating to Direct Next Bond Movie

Sure, why the hell not? Sam Mendes is reportedly in talks to direct the upcoming Peter Morgan–scripted 23rd James Bond movie. Though the film’s future was “uncertain” only yesterday (owing to MGM’s own uncertain future), HR says it’s being fast-tracked and could begin shooting as early as June, with a possible release in 2011. Mendes has never really done an action film before, but he’s at least as qualified to do Bond as Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster, we suppose. Unless we hear different, we’ll assume that Bond 23 will meditate on 007’s loveless suburban marriage.